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Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation

1.5K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
White Expected Score47.3%Range (90% confident): 45.2% – 49.5%Based on 1.5K games
0%47.3%100%
Range (90% confident): 45.2% – 49.5%
Outcome Distribution
43.9%6.8%49.3%
Win
Draw
Loss
8...Nxd5
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation
Analyzen=1.5K
Avg Length37 moves
Sharpness93%
Draw Rate6.8%

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation expected score for White?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 47.3% expected score for White (we're 90% confident it's between 45.2% and 49.5%), based on 1.5K Lichess games.

White Win% by Rating

Improves with rating: 28% → 45%

1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1400-1599: 28.0% win rate (11 games)
  • 1600-1799: 34.9% win rate (40 games)
  • 1800-1999: 56.1% win rate (117 games)
  • 2000-2199: 38.5% win rate (428 games)
  • 2200-2499: 45.6% win rate (686 games)
  • 2500+: 45.0% win rate (173 games)

White Win% by Time Control

Best in Bullet (47%), worst in Rapid (38%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 47.4% win rate (407 games)
  • Blitz: 43.0% win rate (954 games)
  • Rapid: 37.9% win rate (87 games)
  • Classical: 41.2% win rate (7 games)

White% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
0-999—————
1000-1199—————
1200-1399—————
1400-1599——
1600-1799——
1800-1999—
2000-2199—
2200-2499——
2500+——

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

  • 1400-1599 rating, Bullet: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 34.2% expected score (8 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Classical: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 29.5% expected score (18 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 40.7% expected score (20 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 50.0% expected score (2 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 61.2% expected score (21 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 61.7% expected score (80 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 42.6% expected score (12 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (4 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 45.2% expected score (61 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 42.1% expected score (326 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 43.9% expected score (39 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 21.5% expected score (2 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 51.8% expected score (203 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 47.9% expected score (452 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 51.6% expected score (31 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 53.4% expected score (102 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 40.7% expected score (68 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 27.8% expected score (3 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Nimzo-Indian Defense
48.4%
Variations (5)
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation
50.5%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation
48.9%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Macieja System
54.8%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Pirc Variation
47.2%
Nimzo-Indian Defense: Classical Variation, Berlin Variation, Steiner Variation
46.2%
Analyze Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 43.9% (90% CI: 41.8%-46.0%) win rate for white, based on 1.5K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation perform best?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation performs best at 1800-1999 Elo with a 56.1% win rate for white (117 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (47.4%) outperforms Rapid (37.9%) by 9.5%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a sharpness score of 93.2 (decisive), meaning 93.2% of games end decisively. Average game length is 37 moves.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 56.1% (90% CI: 48.6%-63.5%) win rate for white, based on 117 Lichess games. Average game length is 33 moves with a 6.3% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 38.5% (90% CI: 34.7%-42.4%) win rate for white, based on 428 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 7.8% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 45.6% (90% CI: 42.5%-48.7%) win rate for white, based on 686 Lichess games. Average game length is 38 moves with a 7.2% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 45.0% (90% CI: 38.8%-51.2%) win rate for white, based on 173 Lichess games. Average game length is 42 moves with a 5.4% draw rate.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 47.4% (90% CI: 43.3%-51.4%) win rate for white (407 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.0%.

What is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation has a 43.0% (90% CI: 40.3%-45.6%) win rate for white (954 Lichess games). Draw rate is 6.5%.

Is the Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation a good opening?

The Nimzo-Indian Defense: Sämisch Variation, Botvinnik Variation is slightly favors black with a 43.9% (90% CI: 41.8%-46.0%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 1800-1999 Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.